Display apparatus and driving method thereof

ABSTRACT

A display apparatus with a border of reduced size includes pixel units arranged in a matrix. Each pixel unit includes a driving transistor. The display apparatus defines a display region and a non-display region. The display region includes horizontal scan lines and data lines. The horizontal scan lines are parallel with each along a first direction, and the data lines are parallel with each other along a second direction. A pixel group contains three pixels and these pixel units are arranged on different columns along the first direction, and in different rows along the second direction. The driving transistors of these pixel units are electrically connected to one data line through connection lines.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a display apparatus and a drivingmethod thereof.

BACKGROUND

Liquid crystal display apparatuses and organic electroluminescent (EL)display apparatuses are widely used. These display apparatuses defines adisplay region and a non-display region surrounding the display region.The display region includes a plurality of scan lines and a plurality ofdata lines. The scan lines are crossed with data lines to define aplurality of pixel units. The non-display region includes a gate driverfor driving the scan lines, a source driver for driving the data lines,and a time controller for driving the gate driver and the source driver.The gate driver and the source driver are located on opposite edges ofthe non-display region based on the arrangement of the scan lines andthe data lines, such as a left edge and a bottom edge. The timecontroller is further located in the bottom edge. Due to a larger sizeof the display device with a high frequency driving, the number of thescan lines and the data lines is increased, which cause an area of thenon-display region to be bigger. Thus, there is room for improvement inthe art for achieving a narrow border.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Implementations of the present technology will now be described, by wayof example only, with reference to the attached figures.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of a display apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram view of a first embodiment of the displayapparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing waveforms of the display apparatus ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram view of the display apparatus of FIG. 1 in afirst sub-period, the elements marked “X” being turned-off.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram view of the display apparatus of FIG. 1 in asecond sub-period, the elements marked “X” being turned-off.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram view of the display apparatus of FIG. 1 in athird sub-period, the elements marked “X” being turned-off.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram view of a second embodiment of the displayapparatus of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration,where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among thedifferent figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. Inaddition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide athorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, itwill be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that theembodiments described herein can be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, methods, procedures, and components havenot been described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevantfeature being described. The drawings are not necessarily to scale andthe proportions of certain parts may be exaggerated to better illustratedetails and features. The description is not to be considered aslimiting the scope of the embodiments described herein.

The term “comprising” means “including, but not necessarily limited to”;it specifically indicates open-ended inclusion or membership in aso-described combination, group, series, and the like. The disclosure isillustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in thefigures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicatesimilar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one”embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the sameembodiment, and such references can mean “at least one.” The term“circuit” is defined as an integrated circuit (IC) with a plurality ofelectric elements, such as capacitors, resistors, amplifiers, and thelike.

The present disclosure provides a display apparatus with a narrowborder. The display apparatus includes a plurality of pixel unitsarranged in a matrix. Each pixel unit includes a driving transistor. Thedisplay apparatus defines a display region and a non-display regionsurrounding the display region. The display region includes a pluralityof horizontal scan lines and a plurality of data lines. The horizontalscan lines are parallel with each along a first direction, and the datalines are parallel with each other along a second direction. A pixelgroup is defined by at least three pixel units. In a same pixel group,the pixel units are arranged on different columns along the firstdirection, and further arranged on different rows along the seconddirection. The driving transistors of the pixel units in the same pixelgroup are electrically connected to a same data line through connectionlines.

In an embodiment, the non-display region includes an upper edge and abottom edge opposite to the upper edge. A gate driver is located in theupper edge, and a control circuit is located in the bottom edge.

In an embodiment, the display region further includes a plurality ofvertical scan lines along the second direction. The vertical scan linesare patterned out of a metal layer which is different from a metal layerpatterned to form the horizontal scan lines. The vertical scan lines areelectrically connected to the horizontal scan lines through a first viahole for transmitting scan signals to the horizontal scan lines. Twovertical scan lines are arranged between two adjacent data lines.

In an embodiment, the display apparatus operates under cyclic displayand touch periods. The display region further includes a plurality oftouch sensing lines. The touch sensing lines, the data lines, and thevertical scan lines are patterned out of a same metal layer. The touchsensing lines are parallel with data lines along the second direction.Each touch sensing line is arranged between two adjacent data lines. Thetouch sensing lines are used for transmitting touch sensing signalsduring the touch period.

In an embodiment, the non-display region further includes a dummy pixelregion. The dummy pixel region cooperates with the pixel units in thedisplay region to form pixel groups.

In an embodiment, a number of the vertical scan lines is larger than anumber of the horizontal scan lines. The vertical scan lines which areinsulated from the horizontal scan lines serve as the touch sensinglines for transmitting touch sensing signals.

In an embodiment, the display region includes a plurality of commonelectrodes. The common electrodes are arranged on a layer different fromthe layer where the touch sensing lines are arranged. The touch sensinglines are electrically connected to the common electrodes through secondvia holes.

In an embodiment, the pixel group includes a first pixel unit, a secondpixel unit, and a third pixel unit. In the same pixel group, a sourceelectrode of the driving transistor in the first pixel unit is directlyelectrically connected to the corresponding data line. A sourceelectrode of the driving transistor in the second pixel unit iselectrically connected to a drain electrode of the driving transistor inthe first pixel unit through the connection line, and a drain electrodeof the driving transistor in the second pixel unit is electricallyconnected to a source electrode of the driving transistor in the thirdpixel unit.

In an embodiment, a driving method is provided for driving the displayapparatus. A plurality of display periods and a plurality of touchperiods are defined in one frame. Each display period further includes aplurality of selecting periods. Each selecting period sequentiallyselects one of the horizontal scan lines for scanning. Each selectingperiod includes a first sub-period, a second sub-period, and a thirdsub-period. During the first sub-period, the gate driver sequentiallyselects one of the horizontal scan lines, controls the signals of theselected horizontal scan line and two horizontal scan lines followingthe selected horizontal scan line to be effective, and further controlsthe reset signals of horizontal scan lines to be ineffective. During thesecond sub-period, the gate driver controls the signals of the selectedhorizontal scan line and the horizontal scan line following the selectedhorizontal scan line to be effective, and further controls the resetsignals of horizontal scan lines to be ineffective. During the thirdsub-period, the gate driver controls the signal of the selectedhorizontal scan line to be effective, and further controls the resetsignals of horizontal scan lines to be ineffective.

In an embodiment, the pixel group includes a first pixel unit, a secondpixel unit, and a third pixel unit. In the same pixel group, a sourceelectrode of the driving transistor in the first pixel unit is directlyelectrically connected to the corresponding data line. A sourceelectrode of the driving transistor in the second pixel unit iselectrically connected to a drain electrode of the driving transistor inthe first pixel unit through the connection line, and a drain electrodeof the driving transistor in the second pixel unit is electricallyconnected to a source electrode of the driving transistor in the thirdpixel unit.

In an embodiment, during the first sub-period, the third pixel unitconnected to the selected horizontal scan line loads the signal on thecorresponding data line. During the second sub-period, the second pixelunit connected to the selected horizontal scan line loads the signal onthe corresponding data line. During the third sub-period, the firstpixel unit connected to the selected horizontal scan line loads thesignal on the corresponding data line.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the display apparatus 1. The displayapparatus 1 defines a display region 11 and a non-display region 13surrounding the display region 11. The display region 11 includes aplurality of horizontal scan lines HS1-HSn, a plurality of vertical scanlines VS1-VS2 n, a plurality of data lines D1-Dm, and a plurality oftouch sensing lines TS1-TSn. In the embodiment, n and m are positiveintegers, each of which is larger than 2. The horizontal scan linesHS1-HSn are parallel with each along a first direction X, the verticalscan lines VS1-VS2 n and the data lines D1-Dm are parallel with eachother along a second direction Y which is perpendicular to the firstdirection X. The horizontal scan lines HS1-HSn, the vertical scan linesVS1-VS2 n, and the data lines D1-Dm are arranged as a grid to define aplurality of pixel units SP1-SPk at the crossed-line portions. In thisembodiment, k is equal to n*(m+n). Each pixel unit SP1-SPk includes alight emitting element. In the embodiment, the light emitting elementcan be an organic light emitting diode (OLED). The light emittingelement emits light for displaying images. The display apparatus 1includes the light emitting elements for green light, for blue light,and for red light. The light emitting elements emitting different colorsof light are arranged in different pixel units SP1-SPk. In anotherembodiment, the display apparatus 1 only includes the light emittingelement emitting white light, and further includes a color filter. Inanother embodiment, the light emitting elements emit a first color lightin the display apparatus 1 which is transmitted by a quantum film toachieve light with a different color. Two vertical scan linesVS(i−1)-VSi and one touch sensing line TSi are arranged between twoadjacent data lines D(i−1)-Di, and the touch sensing line TSi isadjacent to the corresponding data line Di. The vertical scan linesVS1-VS2 n are respectively electrically connected to the horizontal scanlines HS1-HSn through a corresponding first via hole 17. In theembodiment, a conductive layer patterned to form the horizontal scanlines HS1-HSn is different from a conductive layer patterned to form thedata lines D1-Dm, the vertical scan lines VS1-VS2 n, and the touchsensing lines TS1-TSn. In the embodiment, the first via hole 17 can be aplating through hole disposed in the display apparatus 1.

The non-display region 13 includes an upper edge 131, a bottom edge 132,a left edge 133, and a right edge 134. The upper edge 131 is opposite tothe bottom edge 132, and the left edge 133 is opposite to the right edge134. The upper edge 131, the bottom edge 132, the left edge 133, and theright edge 134 cooperate with each other to form a frame framing thedisplay region 11. The non-display region 13 further includes a gatedriver 20 and a control circuit 40. The gate driver 20 is located in theupper edge 131, and the control circuit 40 is located in the bottom edge132. The control circuit 40 is integrated with functions of a sourcedriver and a time controller. Each pixel unit SPi is electricallyconnected to the gate driver 20 through a horizontal scan line HSi andthe vertical scan line VSi is connected with the horizontal scan lineHSi. An electrical connection to the control circuit 40 is through adata line Di. The control circuit 40 provides various control signalsfor driving the gate driver 20. The various control signals may includea vertical synchronization (Vsync) signal, a horizontal synchronization(Hsync) signal, a clock (CLK) signal, and a data enable (DE) signal, butis not limited thereto. The control circuit 40 further provides datasignals to the data lines D1-Dm for loading data signals to the pixelunits SP1-SPk. The control circuit 40 further provides touch sensingsignals to the touch sensing lines TS1-TSn. In this embodiment, the gatedriver 20 and the control circuit 40 are formed on a chip-on-glass (COG)through a tape-automated bonding manner, or formed on a display panelthrough a gate-in-panel (GIP) manner. In other embodiments, the gatedriver 20 and the control circuit 40 are embedded in the display panel.

A dummy pixel region 50 is defined at the upper edge 131 or the bottomedge 132 by patterning a conductive layer. The dummy pixel region 50 isdisable to display images. In the embodiment, the dummy pixel region 50is insulated from the horizontal scan lines HS1-HSn, the vertical scanlines VS1-VS2 n, and the data lines D1-Dm. The dummy pixel region 50defines a plurality of dummy pixel units (not shown). The structure ofthe dummy pixel units is the same as the pixel units SP1-SPk, and thedummy pixel units cooperate with the pixel units in the display region11 respectively to form pixel groups 60 (as shown in FIG. 2). In thisembodiment, the dummy pixel region 50 is located between the gate driver20 and the display region 11. In other embodiments, the dummy pixelregion 50 is disposed between the control circuit 40 and the displayregion 11. In another embodiment, in which two dummy pixel regions 50are disposed, one is disposed between the gate driver 20 and the displayregion 11, and the other is disposed between the control circuit 40 andthe display region 11.

The display apparatus 1 further includes a plurality of commonelectrodes 15 arranged in a matrix. FIG. 1 shows only one commonelectrode 15 (in broken lines). The common electrodes 15 areelectrically connected to the touch sensing lines TS1-TSn through acorresponding second via hole 19. In this embodiment, the commonelectrodes 15 are disposed on a layer which is different from the layerin which the touch sensing lines TS1-TSn are disposed. In theembodiment, the first via hole 17 can be a plating through hole disposedin the display apparatus 1. Each common electrode 15 overlaps with atleast two pixel units 10. In this embodiment, the common electrode 15overlaps with two pixel units 10. In other embodiments, 120 pixel unitscorrespond to one common electrode 15.

FIG. 2 illustrates a circuit diagram of part of the display apparatus 1.FIG. 2 only shows four vertical scan lines VS1-VS4, four horizontal scanlines HS1-HS4, two data lines D1-D2, and two touch sensing linesTS1-TS2. The four vertical scan lines VS1-VS4, the four horizontal scanlines HS1-HS4, and the two data lines D1-D2 define twenty four pixelunits, SP1-SP24. Each pixel unit SPi includes a driving transistor 70.In this embodiment, the pixel units SP1-SP24 can emit blue, green, red,or white light. Gate electrodes of the driving transistors 70 areelectrically connected to the horizontal scan lines. The gate electrodesof the driving transistors 70 in one row are electrically connected to asame horizontal scan line HSi. The display apparatus 1 further defines aplurality of pixel groups 60. Each pixel group 60 includes a first pixelunit 60 a, a second pixel unit 60 b, and a third pixel unit 60 c. Inother embodiments, each pixel group 60 can further include at least onefourth pixel unit or other pixel unit. In a same pixel group 60, thefirst pixel unit 60 a, the second pixel unit 60 b, and the third pixelunit 60 c are adjacent to each other, and are aligned obliquely. In asame pixel group 60, the first pixel unit 60 a, the second pixel unit 60b, and the third pixel unit 60 c are surrounded by three adjacenthorizontal scan lines HSi-HS(i+3), two vertical scan lines VSi-VS(i+2),and a data line Di. In a same pixel group 60, the first pixel unit 60 a,the second pixel unit 60 b, and the third pixel unit 60 c are disposedin three adjacent columns, and are further disposed in three adjacentrows. In a same pixel group 60, the first pixel unit 60 a, the secondpixel unit 60 b, and the third pixel unit 60 c in a same pixel group 60emit light of same color. In a same pixel group 60, the first pixel unit60 a, the second pixel unit 60 b, and the third pixel unit 60 c areelectrically connected to the same data line Di. In a same pixel group60, a source electrode of the driving transistor 70 in the first pixelunit 60 a is directly electrically connected to the corresponding dataline Di, and a drain electrode of the driving transistor 70 in the firstpixel unit 60 a is electrically connected to a source electrode of thedriving transistor 70 in the second pixel unit 60 b through a connectionline 80. A drain electrode of the driving transistor 70 in the secondpixel unit 60 b is electrically connected to a source electrode of thedriving transistor 70 in the third pixel unit 60 c through a connectionline 80. Thus, according to the manner of arrangement, the sourceelectrode of the driving transistor 70 in the third pixel unit 60 c iselectrically connected to the drain electrode of the driving transistor70 in the second pixel unit 60 b located at a lower oblique directionthrough the connection line 80. The source electrode of the drivingtransistor 70 in the second pixel unit 60 b is electrically connected tothe drain electrode of the driving transistor 70 in the first pixel unit60 a located at a lower oblique direction through the connection line80. For example, one of the pixel group 60 includes the pixel unit SP6as the third pixel unit 60 c, the pixel unit SP 11 as the second pixelunit 60 b, and the pixel unit SP 16 as the first pixel unit 60 a. Thesource electrode of the driving transistor 70 in the pixel unit SP16 isdirectly electrically connected to the corresponding data line D2, andthe drain electrode of the driving transistor 70 in the pixel unit SP 16is electrically connected to the source electrode of the pixel unit SP11through the connection line 80. The drain electrode of the drivingtransistor 70 in the pixel unit SP11 is electrically connected to thesource electrode of the driving transistor 70 in the pixel unit SP6through the connection line 80. In this embodiment, the pixel unit SP2and the pixel unit SP7 cooperate with the dummy pixel unit in the dummypixel region 50 to form a pixel group 60, the pixel unit SP5 and thepixel unit SP10 cooperate with the dummy pixel unit in the dummy pixelregion 50 to form a pixel group 60, the pixel unit SP1 cooperates withthe dummy pixel unit in the dummy pixel region 50 to form a pixel group60, and the pixel unit SP4 cooperates with the dummy pixel unit in thedummy pixel region 50 to form a pixel group 60.

Based on this structure, three pixel units in one same pixel group areelectrically connected to the same data line, thus a number of the datalines is reduced. The touch sensing lines, the vertical scan lines, andthe data lines are patterned from a same layer, thus masks used in thefabricating process are reduced. The gate driver and control circuit arelocated on opposite edges, thus a narrowing of the border of the displayapparatus is achieved.

FIG. 3 illustrates waveforms of the display apparatus 1. In one frame, aplurality of the display periods DP-DPn and a plurality of touch sensingperiods TP1-TPn are selectively operated. Each of the touch sensingperiods TP-TPn is inserted between two adjacent display periodsDPi-DP(i+1). During the display period DP1-DPn, the data lines D1-Dmloads data signal. The display period DP1-DPn further includes aplurality of selecting periods SEL. During the selecting period, thehorizontal scan line HSi in the horizontal scan lines HS1-HSn isselected for orderly loading of data signal on the pixel unitsSPi-SP(i+m), which are electrically connected to the selected horizontalscan line HSi. Each selecting period SEL includes a first sub-period T1,a second sub-period T2, and a third sub-period T3. In other embodiments,the number of the sub-periods can be adjusted due to the number of thepixel units SPi-SP(i+j) in one pixel group 60. During the firstsub-period T1, the second sub-period T2, and the third sub-period T3,the data signal on the data lines D1-Dm can be the same or different.During the first sub-period T1, the gate driver 20 controls the signalson the selected horizontal scan line HSi and two following adjacenthorizontal scan lines HS(i+1)-HS(i+2) to be effective (such as highlevel voltage), and the signals on the other horizontal scan linesHS1-HS(i−1), HS(i+3)-HSn to be ineffective (such as low level voltage).Thus, the data signals on the data lines D1-Dm are loaded on the pixelgroups 60 connected to the horizontal scan lines HSi-HS(i+2), and thedata signal of the third pixel units 60 c directly connected to theselecting horizontal scan line HSi is locked due to the connected datalines D1-Dm. During the second sub-period T2, the gate driver 20controls the signals on the selected horizontal scan line HSi and thefollowing horizontal scan line HS(i+1) to be effective, and the signalson the other horizontal scan lines HS1-HS(i−1), HS(i+2)-HS(n) to beineffective. Thus, the data signals on the data lines D1-Dm are loadedon the pixel group 60 connected to the horizontal scan line HSi, and thedata signal of the second pixel unit 60 b directly connected to theselecting horizontal scan line HSi is locked due to the connected datalines D1-Dm. During the third sub-period T3, the gate driver 20 controlsthe signal on the selected horizontal scan line HSi to be effective, andthe signals on the other horizontal scan lines HS1-HS(i−1),HS(i+1)-HS(n) to be ineffective. Thus, the data signals on the datalines D1-Dm are loaded on the pixel group 60 connected to the horizontalscan line HSi, and the data signal of the first pixel unit 60 a directlyconnected to the selecting horizontal scan line HSi is locked due to theconnected data lines D1-Dm.

FIG. 4 illustrates the display apparatus 1 of FIG. 2 in the firstsub-period T1. During the first sub-period T1, the gate driving 20controls the signals on the selected horizontal scan line HS1 and thefollowing horizontal scan lines HS2-HS3 to be effective, and the signalof the other horizontal scan line HS4 to be ineffective. The drivingtransistors 70 corresponding to the pixel units SP1-SP8, SP10-SP11,SP13, and SP16 are turned on for loading the data signals on the datalines D1-D2. The pixel unit SP3 serving as the third pixel unit 60 c islocked due to the current data signal on the data line D1 through thetransistors 60 corresponding to the pixel unit SP13 and the pixel unitSP8, which are in the same pixel group 60. The pixel unit SP6 serving asthe third pixel unit 60 c is locked due to the current data signal onthe data line D2 through the transistors 60 corresponding to the pixelunit SP16 and the pixel unit SP11, which are in the same pixel group 60.

FIG. 5 illustrates the display apparatus 1 of FIG. 2 in the secondsub-period T2. During the second sub-period T2, the gate driving 20controls the signals on the selected horizontal scan line HS1 and thefollowing horizontal scan line HS2 to be effective, and the signals ofthe other horizontal scan lines HS3-HS4 to be ineffective. The drivingtransistors 70 corresponding to the pixel units SP1-SP2, SP4-SP5, SP7,and SP10 are turned on for loading the data signals on the data linesD1-D2. The pixel unit SP2 serving as the second pixel unit 60 b islocked due to the current data signal on the data line D1 through thetransistors 60 corresponding to the pixel unit SP12 and the pixel unitSP7, which are in the same pixel group 60. The pixel unit SP5 serving asthe third pixel unit 60 b is locked due to the current data signal onthe data line D2 through the transistors 60 corresponding to the pixelunit SP15 and the pixel unit SP10, which are in the same pixel group 60.

FIG. 6 illustrates the display apparatus 1 of FIG. 2 in the thirdsub-period T3. During the third sub-period T3, the gate driving 20controls the signal on the selected horizontal scan line HS1 to beeffective, and the signals of the other horizontal scan lines HS2-HS4 tobe ineffective. The driving transistors 70 corresponding to the pixelunit SP1 and SP4 are turned on for loading the data signals on the datalines D1-D2. The pixel unit SP1 serving as the first pixel unit 60 a islocked due to the current data signal on the data line D1, and the pixelunit SP4 serving as the first pixel unit 60 a is locked due to thecurrent data signal on the data line D2.

During the selection of horizontal scan line HS2 by the gate driver 20,in the first sub-period T1, the gate driver 20 controls signals on theselected horizontal scan line HS2 and the following two adjacent scanlines HS3-HS4 to be effective, and the signal of the horizontal scanline HS1 to be ineffective. The pixel unit SP9 is thus locked due to thedata signal of the data line D1, and the pixel unit SP 12 is locked dueto the data signal of the data line D2. During the second sub-period T2,the gate driver 20 controls the signals on the selected horizontal scanline HS2 and the following horizontal scan line HS3 to be effective, andthe horizontal scan line HS1, and HS4 to be ineffective. The pixel unitSP 8 is thus locked due to the data signal of the data line D1, and thepixel unit SP11 is locked due to the data signal of the data line D2.During the third sub-period T3, the gate driver 20 controls the selectedhorizontal scan line HS2 to be effective, and the horizontal scan linesHS1 and HS3-HS4 to be ineffective. Thus, the pixel unit SP7 is lockeddue to the data signal on the data line D1, and the pixel unit SP 10 islocked due to the data signal on the data line D2.

Based on the driving method, during the first sub-period, the signals ofthe selected horizontal scan line and the following two adjacenthorizontal scan lines are effective. During the second sub-period, thesignals of the selected horizontal scan line and the following adjacenthorizontal scan line are effective, and during the third sub-period, theselected horizontal scan line are effective. Therefore, accuracy of thedisplay apparatus for loading the data signal is improved.

FIG. 7 illustrates a second embodiment of the display apparatus 2. FIG.7 only shows four vertical scan lines VS1-VS4, four horizontal scanlines HS1-HS4, two data lines D1-D2, and two touch sensing linesTS1-TS2. Twenty four pixel unit SP1-SP24 are also defined. The displayapparatus 2 is similar to the display apparatus 1. Elements in FIG. 7with the same labels are the same as the elements in FIG. 2, and theelectrical connections of the elements in FIG. 7 with the same labelsare the same as the electrical connections of the elements in FIG. 2.The difference between the display apparatus 2 and the display apparatus1 is the touch sensing lines TS1-TS2. A number of the vertical scanlines VSi serve as the touch sensing lines TSi.

The display apparatus 2 includes a plurality of horizontal scan linesHS1-HSn, a plurality of vertical scan lines VS1-VSr, a plurality of datalines D1-Dm, and a plurality of touch sensing lines TS1-TSt. In thisembodiment, n, r, m, t are positive integers larger than 2. The verticalscan line VSi being insulated from the horizontal scan lines HS1-HSnserves as the touch sensing line TSi. For example, the vertical scanline VS3 is electrically connected to the horizontal scan line HS3, andthe vertical scan line VS4 which is insulated from the horizontal scanline HS4 serves as the touch sensing line TS1. The display apparatus 2in a 1080*1920 resolution includes 1080*3 lines along the seconddirection Y. 1080 lines serve as the data lines D1-D1080, and 1920 linesserve as the vertical scan lines VS1-VS1920. The rest of lines 240 serveas the touch sensing lines TS1-TS240.

Based on the structure, three pixel units in one same pixel group areelectrically connected to the same data line, thus a number of the datalines is reduced. The touch sensing lines, the vertical scan lines, andthe data lines are patterned in a same layer, thus the maskingoperations during the fabricating process are reduced. The gate driverand control circuit are located on opposite edges, thus a narrow borderof the display apparatus is easily achieved. Further, some of thevertical scan lines serve as the touch sensing lines, thus an aperturerate of the display apparatus is improved.

While various and preferred embodiments have been described thedisclosure is not limited thereto. On the contrary, variousmodifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to thoseskilled in the art) are also intended to be covered. Therefore, thescope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadestinterpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similararrangements.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display apparatus comprising: a plurality ofpixel units arranged in a matrix, each of the pixel units comprises adriving transistor; a plurality of horizontal scan lines in a displayregion configured to extend along a first direction; and a plurality ofdata lines in the display region, and configured to extend along asecond direction perpendicular to the first direction; and wherein aplurality of pixel group are defined; each pixel group comprises atleast three pixel units; the pixel units in a same pixel group arearranged on different columns along the first direction, and furtherarranged on different rows along the second direction, the drivingtransistors of the pixel units in the same pixel group are electricallyconnected to a same data line through connection lines.
 2. The displayapparatus of claim 1, wherein the display region further comprises aplurality of vertical scan lines along the second direction; thevertical scan lines are patterned by a metal layer different from ametal layer patterned to form the horizontal scan lines, and areelectrically connected to the horizontal scan lines respectively througha corresponding first via hole for transmitting scan signals to thehorizontal scan lines.
 3. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein thedisplay apparatus comprises a non-display region surrounding the displayregion; the non-display region comprises an upper edge and a bottom edgeopposite to the upper edge, a gate driver is located in the upper edge,and a control circuit is located in the bottom edge.
 4. The displayapparatus of claim 2, wherein two vertical scan lines are arrangedbetween two adjacent data lines.
 5. The display apparatus of claim 2,wherein the display region further comprises a plurality of touchsensing lines; the display apparatus selectively operates under adisplay period and a touch period; the touch sensing lines, the datalines, and the vertical scan lines are patterned by a same metal layer;the touch sensing lines are parallel with data lines along the seconddirection; each touch sensing line is arranged between two adjacent datalines; the touch sensing lines transmits touch sensing signals duringthe touch period.
 6. The display apparatus of claim 5, wherein thedisplay region comprises a plurality of common electrodes; the commonelectrodes are arranged on a layer different from the layer where thetouch sensing lines are arranged; the touch sensing lines areelectrically connected to the common electrodes through second viaholes.
 7. The display apparatus of claim 2, wherein the non-displayregion further comprises a dummy pixel region; the dummy pixel regioncooperates with the pixel units in the display region to form pixelgroups.
 8. The display apparatus of claim 2, wherein a number of thevertical scan lines is larger than a number of the horizontal scanlines; the vertical scan lines insulated from the horizontal scan linesare served as the touch sensing lines for transmitting touch sensingsignals.
 9. The display apparatus of claim 8, wherein the display regioncomprises a plurality of common electrodes; the common electrodes arearranged on a layer different from the layer where the touch sensinglines are arranged; the touch sensing lines are electrically connectedto the common electrodes through second via holes.
 10. The displayapparatus of claim 1, wherein the pixel group comprises a first pixelunit, a second pixel unit, and a third pixel unit; in the same pixelgroup, a source electrode of the driving transistor in the first pixelunit is directly electrically connected to the corresponding data line;a source electrode of the driving transistor in the second pixel unit iselectrically connected to a drain electrode of the driving transistor inthe first pixel unit through the connection line, and a drain electrodeof the driving transistor in the second pixel unit is electricallyconnected to a source electrode of the driving transistor in the thirdpixel unit.
 11. A diving method for driving a display apparatus, thedisplay apparatus comprising a plurality of horizontal scan lines in adisplay region, and a plurality of data lines; in one frame time, aplurality of display periods and a plurality of touch periods aredefined; each of the display periods comprises a plurality of selectingperiod; each of the selecting periods comprises a first sub-period, asecond sub-period and a third sub-period; the method comprising:selecting one of the plurality of horizontal scan lines for scanning;controlling signals of the selected horizontal scan line and twofollowing horizontal lines adjacent to the selected horizontal scan lineto be effective during the first sub-period; controlling the signals ofthe selected horizontal can line and a following horizontal scan lineadjacent to the selected horizontal scan line to be effective during thesecond sub-period; controlling the signal of the horizontal scan line tobe effective during the third sub-period.
 12. The driving method ofclaim 11, wherein the display apparatus comprises a plurality of pixelunits arranged in a matrix; a plurality of pixel group are defined; eachpixel group comprises at least three pixel units; the pixel units in asame pixel group are arranged on different columns along the firstdirection, and further arranged on different rows along the seconddirection, the driving transistors of the pixel units in the same pixelgroup are electrically connected to a same data line through connectionlines.
 13. The driving method of claim 12, wherein the display regionfurther comprises a plurality of vertical scan lines along the seconddirection; the vertical scan lines are patterned by a metal layerdifferent from a metal layer patterned to form the horizontal scanlines, and are electrically connected to the horizontal scan linesrespectively through a corresponding first via hole for transmittingscan signals to the horizontal scan lines.
 14. The driving method ofclaim 12, wherein the display apparatus comprises a non-display regionsurrounding the display region; the non-display region comprises anupper edge and a bottom edge opposite to the upper edge, a gate driveris located in the upper edge, and a control circuit is located in thebottom edge.
 15. The driving method of claim 12, wherein the displayapparatus further comprises a plurality of touch sensing lines; thetouch sensing lines, the data lines, and the vertical scan lines arepatterned by a same metal layer; the touch sensing lines are parallelwith data lines along the second direction; each touch sensing line isarranged between two adjacent data lines.
 16. The driving method ofclaim 15, wherein a number of the vertical scan lines is larger than anumber of the horizontal scan lines; the vertical scan lines insulatedfrom the horizontal scan lines are served as the touch sensing lines fortransmitting touch sensing signals.
 17. The driving method of claim 12,wherein the pixel group comprises a first pixel unit, a second pixelunit, and a third pixel unit; in the same pixel group, a sourceelectrode of the driving transistor in the first pixel unit is directlyelectrically connected to the corresponding data line; a sourceelectrode of the driving transistor in the second pixel unit iselectrically connected to a drain electrode of the driving transistor inthe first pixel unit through the connection line, and a drain electrodeof the driving transistor in the second pixel unit is electricallyconnected to a source electrode of the driving transistor in the thirdpixel unit.
 18. The driving method of claim 17, wherein the third pixelunit is locked due to a data signal on the corresponding connected dataline during the first sub-pixel; the second pixel unit is locked due toa data signal on the corresponding connected data line during the secondsub-period; the first pixel unit is locked due to a data signal of thecorresponding connected data line during the third sub-period.
 19. Thedriving method of claim 12, wherein the display region comprises aplurality of common electrodes; the common electrodes are arranged on alayer different from the layer where the touch sensing lines arearranged; the touch sensing lines are electrically connected to thecommon electrodes through second via holes.
 20. The driving method ofclaim 12, wherein the non-display region further comprises a dummy pixelregion; the dummy pixel region cooperates with the pixel units in thedisplay region to form pixel groups.